Air Show, Labor Day Weekend, & First Day of School

Here are some updates from the last few weekends...

On August 25th, Luke's company had their company picnic at the Winston-Salem air show. His company does there picnic at different places each year but this is one of my favorite spots that they choose.  It is so nice to go to the air show with a company because not only is the admission free but we had a huge tent to sit under, free lunch, great parking, a ride on the golf cart to our tent, and free tickets to the Kid Zone area.  We were very thankful and appreciative for this opportunity to enjoy family time together with Landis' colleagues and friends and their families.  

Luke was excited from the very beginning when he was able to ride the golf cart from the car to the tent. He was especially excited that he was able to ride the golf cart with one of his favorite people - Hannah.  Hannah is Landis' boss' little girl.  She is 5 years old (matter of fact, she started Kindergarten this year) and she is super sweet.  She has a little brother named Cape so she is a great big sister helper.  Luke enjoys Cape too but he and Hannah seemed to be little buddies from the very beginning.

When we first arrived, we hung out in the tent for a little while. Luke played with the grass, moved the fold up chairs around, and climbed on the ropes. Then, before lunch, we headed to the Kid Zone area where there were bounce houses.  All the kids jumped in one small bounce house together. Then, Hannah and Luke climbed through a big long bouncy tunnel together.  At first, Luke was scared but Hannah promised to help him through it and by the time they came out of the tunnel together at the end - they both had huge smiles on their faces and said, "Let's do that again." They went through this tunnel together several times.  

Next, we headed to the train.  The kids were so cute riding the train together.  After the train ride, Luke saw a teddy bear that he wanted.  The other kids were interested in this bear too so we ended up buying  3 teddy bears to take back to the tent. The bears instantly became everyone's new best friend. Luke was attached to his bear for the rest of the day. 

The bear ate lunch with Luke.  Luke ate a great lunch - green beans, bbq, and hush puppies.  Before long, it was time for the airplanes to begin.  We laid down a blanket in front of the tent for all the kids to sit on. Luke sat down and started looking through our family goody bag (given to us by the company) and he found an air show t-shirt that looked like the one that Hannah was already wearing. Because it matched Hannah's, he HAD to put it on.  I tried to explain to him that the shirt would be too big but he didn't care. For the rest of the day, he walked around in this huge shirt - just wait until you see the pictures.  

For most of the air show, Luke sat with Hannah on the blanket and ate some snacks.

He watched a few planes but was more interested in digging up grass and playing in the tent than watching the planes. They had a very loud, very fast school bus that blew smoke and fire and made loud noises.  Luke did NOT like that bus - he sat on my lap and covered his ears during that part of the show.  

Finally, about 1:30, Luke laid his head down on Daddy's shoulder so we decided to go.

He really had a good time! A highlight of the day for me was watching him walk with Hannah holding hands - he just looked so sweet! I also loved holding him in my lap the few minutes that he sat down with me. It really was a fun, exciting day with the family! 

Little side note here - for a few days, the air show teddy bear was Luke's new favorite friend. We bought Teddy a cheap onesie from Wal-Mart and Luke loves to help me change his clothes from his shirt to his "pajamas." 

The teddy bear still gets some attention but he has a few other new friends that he has acquired here recently that take up some of his time.  

Here are some pictures from the air show....

That's Hannah and Cape...

In the bounce house...

In line for the bouncy tunnel...

In the train...

Walking back to the tent...

Watching a few airplanes....

In the huge air show shirt....but very happy about it....

Teddy and Luke reading books with Taylor....

When my sister, Taylor, comes to my Dad's house (every other weekend), Luke loves for her to come over and play with him.  She is very sweet to him and I enjoy watching them play.  Here they are reading some books - quite sweet! :)

Sunday night two weeks ago (the night before the first day of school), we went to my mom's house to grill. Mom called to tell me that the 4 wheeler that she has had at her house that needed a battery was NOW READY FOR LUKE TO RIDE ALL ON HIS OWN!  Luke was super excited to ride it so we headed over.

Here he is riding the 4 wheeler all by himself.  He is such a good driver!  Very brave - with no fear!  :)

Playing on the playground in Mom's neighborhood...

And then, swimming in his underwear....we didn't think that we would have time to swim but Luke asked to (after he rode his 4-wheeler for awhile).  I didn't have his bathing suit so I just let him swim in his underwear - there was no one else at the pool so it was okay.  He thought swimming in his underwear was the greatest thing ever!  Check out the pics of him swimming in his underpants!

I can't remember when I took this picture but it's just another example of how Luke likes things in their place - I looked in his room after his nap and I found this....(notice how all of his friends are lined up perfectly in the slats of the bed)...pretty cool! Luke did that all by himself.

Here are a few pictures of Luke sliding at Chick-fil-A. I took the day off on August 30th so I could take Luke to meet his preschool teacher. After we met his teacher, we played at the Wallburg playground for a little while and then ate lunch at Chick-fil-a so Luke could play at his new favorite play spot. We also maximized our time by going in Wal-Mart and getting his school supplies while we were out. We enjoyed our whole day together! 

We enjoyed our Labor Day weekend last week!  The weather wasn't ideal but we made the most of it.  

On Saturday morning, Luke and I played at home with his letter road. We made garages for his tractors out of the letters.  Then, we went to the dollar store and to the library. In the Dollar Store, Luke found him another "friend" to add to his stuffed animal collection. It was a skinny monkey that hangs around your neck.  Luke wanted to name him Coco.  Coco ended up joining us on our trip to the library.  At the library, Luke did great picking out books - he looked for books that he was interested in and brought them to me.  We would read part of it together and if we liked it, put it in our stack. We ended up with 6 books - a B. Bears book, a Clifford book, a Cynthia Rylant book, a L. Numeroff book, and some books that are designed to teach children how to read one to two word pages.  After the library, we headed home to get ready for the pool. We were going to wait until after Luke's nap to go to the pool but the weather forecast was saying that it might start storming so we headed to the pool around 11:30.  

At the pool, Luke played with a new friend (her name was Casey) with his cups and bowls. He drove his float. He pretended to stop by my gas station to fill it up and he also had a blast throwing his toys out into the baby pool and then using his float to go pick them up and "deliver" them.  He took Minnie for a ride and Figurio for a ride on his float. Luke and I swam in the big pool for a little while too - I tossed him in the air, spun him around, and raced him from side to side. Luke took a break to eat his Popsicle then we came back to the big pool.  Luke laughed out loud each time he would push me down into the water and then pull my hand to get me back up. I also swam under him pretending that I was a shark. Luke enjoyed the simplest activity of swimming around with a tiny tea cup throwing water into the air. We were able to stay at the pool for a little over 2 hours before, finally, a storm came up.  We left as soon as we heard thunder.  We went ahead and said "bye to the pool" (just in case we couldn't come back on Monday).  We both felt good that we had plenty of time to enjoy our last day at the pool for this year.  

After the pool, we came home and took a bath and by this time, it was so late that we decided to let Luke skip his nap and, instead, head to the mall to buy him some new shoes for school.  Landis went with us.  When we arrived at the mall, we went straight to the Stride Rite store to pick out the shoes - they were having a Buy 1, Get 1 50% off sale so Luke (with Daddy's help) picked out 2 new pair of shoes.  Luke gets very serious about trying on and picking out new shoes.  He will walk around the store, stomp, run, and jump with each pair of shoes on to make sure he has the ones that he likes best.  He picked out one brown pair that has a dressy look to them but are comfortable and made like tennis shoes.  Then, he picked out two pair of tennis shoes with bright orange and navy on them.  We couldn't decide which pair to get so we let Luke put one on one foot and the different brand on the other foot and then walk around and tell us which one felt better.  He thought it was great that we wanted him to have this input and as he walked around, we asked him several times which one was his favorite and every time, he said the same shoe - the Stride Rite brand (which didn't surprise me - that's what kind of tennis shoes he's always worn - they are great shoes!)  Luke wore one new pair out of the store and we loaded up the second pair.  We were all very pleased with our purchase when we left.  :) 

After the shoe store, Luke and I rode the train. Then, he drove his little red stroller car that we rented him downstairs to the quarter cars.  He rode several of the quarter cars and then played on the playground.  When he looked over and saw the playground, he said, "That's what I've been looking for the whole time!" He was so excited to see the playground.  Luke was wild as he ran around the climbed and slid down everything. He did front rolls all over the place and jumped off of everything. He was very close to reckless!  But, having a good time....

After the mall, we ate dinner at Carriage House in Winston.  The food was delicious and Luke was very well behaved.  He loved their food and ate a huge dinner.  

Finally, on the way home, we stopped by Barnes and Noble. While Daddy looked for a book, Luke played with the trains and Legos. While he played he saw another little boy's mom pick him up to take him home.  The little boy pitched a total fit and this is what Luke said after watching the toddler tantrum. 

Luke:  "Mommy, that boy wanted to stay but his mommy wouldn't let him so he cried and cried." 
Mommy:  "Do you ever do that?"
Luke: "No, I never cry like that."
And you know - he really doesn't. He usually leaves each fun play place without much of a fit.  Barnes and Noble that night was no different.  Before we left, Luke picked out a small Curious George stuffed animal and a book that goes with it. He was precious carrying them out of the store so proud. As he carried them, he said, "I have a Curious George and a book. I hope George doesn't make a mess at my house." (George is always making a mess on the show that's why he thought that.)  We loaded Luke in the car and with George on his lap, he was asleep in the car in 10 minutes

It was an awesome day concluded with a great night!  I continue to be amazed at how sweet Luke is even with no sleep - he's just a bundle of energy that is so much fun! My favorite times are when it is us 3 together being a family! Fun night!  

Here are some pics...

At the pool eating our lunch - PB & J...

Riding Minnie as the passenger on his float...

At one point over the weekend, we got out all of Luke's animal friends, lined them up, and sang Happy Birthday to each of them.  We made them a birthday cake and candles with play-doh to make sure they had something to blow out and could make a wish. Turtle was the first animal to have the celebration.  Here are some pictures of his birthday party....(quick note here - do you see he has 5 animals at this point - well, he now has close to 10. Somehow we have managed to pick up a few more animals along the way - notice that George isn't in this birthday picture yet either. Oh....and you see cow on the end??? We accidentally left him in the cart at Food Lion tonight and when we went back to get him, someone had taken him - it was a tragedy.  We might have to stop by Barnes and Noble next week to see if we can find another cow - he's one of Luke's favorites and he is quite cute!)  :)

On Sunday, we had a regular day...we went to church, out to lunch and then played around the house.  On Monday, to our surprise, the weather was nice enough to go back to the pool.  We were there long enough for Luke to play in the baby pool for a little while and for him to swim around in the big pool for one last time before it started raining. While we were in the water, it started raining just a little.  Luke thought that it was great that it was raining in the pool. Then, the rain got harder so we took cover.  We ended up sitting under our umbrella on top of the picnic table eating our lunch while it poured down rain for over 20 minutes.  When it finally stopped, Luke played in the water for about 5 minutes and then we headed home because you could see the storms coming.  Luke and I were thrilled to have the time together - bonding in the big pool and under the tent eating lunch together.  We counted our time at the pool as an extra bonus pool time. We really said our final good-bye this time UNTIL NEXT YEAR....:)

Monday night - mammaw Carolyn and papaw Dale came over to grill out.  Mammaw brought Luke a new tent she bought him.  Landis put it together and Luke played in it all night. He put all of his animal friends in there - since then, we have played in it quite a bit. We push tractors in it - pretend the big bad wolf is coming while we are in it and of course, entertain Luke's friends in it.  It's a lot of fun!  Here are some pictures...

Tuesday was Luke's first day of preschool.  I took the day off of work so that I could take him and pick him up.

On Monday night and Tuesday morning, Luke was excited about going to school.  He kept talking about the friends he would see. Before leaving the house on Tuesday morning, he wanted to take George and Monkey with him and put them in his backpack when we got there, so I let him. When we arrived at his school, Luke wanted to carry his own backpack so after unloading the car, I put it on his back. As he walked across the parking lot, it started falling off his back so Luke said he would carry it with his hand. Well, he tripped and fell down right in front of the steps. He didn't cry or act like he was hurt. He just got up. I asked him if he would like for me to carry his backpack and he yelled - no, I will do it all by myself! He sure is stubborn!

Inside his new classroom, he was a little nervous because of all the grown ups in the room (parents were lingering everywhere - worse than last year). Luke and I found his cubbie, put his backpack up and then I kissed him and left. When I left, he was playing with a truck. I walked downstairs to pay the tuition and then when I walked back up and peeked in, he was playing in the kitchen with a little girl! Unlike last year, no tears for me or him! Besides his drama of falling down outside, his first day drop off was uneventful.  There were parents and children crying everywhere, but, this year, he wasn't one of them - he seemed to be excited and to know what to expect.  I was very proud of him and very thankful that we started him last year.  

When I picked Luke up, he was happy. He was sitting at the table waiting for me. He smiled and said "Mommy" and then waited patiently for his teacher to let him choose a sucker and then come to me.

When I asked him what he did, he said, "I played and played and played." Then with some prodding and questioning, he told me about a new friend named Gabriel, that Caden wet his pull up, that he gave Caden his truck to make him feel better, that Lily was wearing some "big boy underwear", that he and Alyson cooked a pizza, and that he colored. I was satisfied with those details and we moved on to talk about what he wanted to do when he got to his house - play in his new tent and take his friends on a hayride. And, that's exactly what we did....

Here are some pictures.

Check out the new shoes in these pictures...

Big boy heading to school - check out the confident strut....(this is before his fall...)

Standing in front of his cubby....

Playing when I left....

After school - riding his friends on his lawn mower....

These next pictures were from this weekend - last week, we started talking to Luke about what he wanted to be for Halloween.  He said he wanted to dress like Mickey Mouse.  I thought that was a great idea!  I went online to the Disney store and found the cutest plush Mickey costume and some shoes. I was able to get them for free with some Disney reward points that I have.  

Everyday since I ordered the costume, Luke kept asking me if his Mickey costume was here yet.  Well, on Friday, the UPS truck showed up while Luke was outside riding his lawn mower.  Luke was so excited to see that truck!  He said, "It's brining my Mickey costume." And, sure enough - it was. We opened the box right there in the yard and when Luke saw the Mickey head, he literally jumped up and down and squealed and said, "I want to wear it!"  So, I took it out of the box and let him try it on.  He wanted to put each piece on - the head, the bodysuit, the gloves and his shoes.  I was very impressed with the costume - it is very well made, fits him perfectly and will be very warm on Halloween (especially after I put a long sleeve black shirt and black sweatpants under the body suit part). 

Luke was so excited once he got the costume on that he ran up to papaw Dale's to show him. Even though he wasn't fully decked out like he will be on Halloween, he was still the cutest AND PROUDEST Mickey Mouse I have ever seen. Here's a sneak peek at Luke's Halloween gear...

That's pretty cute, huh?  :)

And, now some video....

#1 - Luke singing Happy Birthday to turtle with his friends. 

#2- Luke swimming in his underwear at Memaw's house...

#3 - Luke showing off his Mickey costume.  :) 

Before I close, here are a few cute conversations that Luke has had recently. 

One day while eating at Elizabeth's Pizza, Landis said something to me and we both started laughing out loud. I can't remember what he said now.  When Luke saw us both laughing, he looked up from his chicken nuggets and giggled too and said, "Silly Landis!"  (It was hilarious! Why did he call Landis by his name instead of Daddy??? I have no idea but it was cute!)

On the way to eat ice cream at the BBQ center in Lexington one night last week, Luke all of a sudden said, "Mommy and Daddy, I'm going to take my nose off and get a different one."  We said, "What kind of nose will you get?" His response - "A witch's nose!"  Oh my!

Luke was playing inside a box that we had here at the house.  He got in the box but, obviously couldn't get out of the box without turning it over.  I looked at him and said, "I see you have yourself in a predicament, don't you?"  He looked at me as serious as he could be and said, "No, I have myself in a box and I can't get out."  :)  That was funny!  :) 

In the car, Luke and I has this sad conversation - 

Luke: Mommy, one day I will get bigger and you won't be able to hold me. 

Mommy:  I know and that will make me sad.  Will it make you sad? 

Luke: NO! 

Just an example of what all kids are like - in a hurry to grow up while we long to slow down time! :) 

Well, that's all for now - we had a fabulous weekend - we went to a free church carnival in Jamestown yesterday and then had a blast today enjoying this gorgeous weather! I will post pics of this weekend mid week or next weekend.  :) I hope everyone enjoys this beautiful fall like weather this week!  

Stay tuned for a message from the Lord. Our pastor shared a warning from the Lord with us this morning about some bad times that are right around the corner for our country and for Christians. I will share more details later and in the meantime, I am drawing near to the Lord for comfort, hope, and peace and pray that everyone reading this is doing the same thing - as I keep saying, NOW is the time to prepare your heart with the Word of God - Jesus is coming soon (after some time of persecution of Christians) so time WILL run out - get prepared for the storm! 

Love you all, 

Toddy